More than 173,000 Laks live in Russia, most of them in Dagestan. The historical center of this ethnic group is the settlement of Kumukh, founded in the 6th century and located 100 kilometers from Makhachkala, the Republic's capital. In the Middle Ages, it served as the capital of several Lak states. Rudolf Dik/TASSThe Laks were among the first in the North Caucasus to adopt Islam – the religion was introduced there by Arab conquerors in the 7th century. Legion MediaThe Laks became renowned as exceptional jewelers, whose popularity extended far beyond the borders of the Russian Empire.